Lower expectations

Lee Hoi-chang plans to form a new political party after the presidential election. He says it will be a new conservative party, but its convictions won’t be much different from the Grand National Party’s. The party will likely absorb the People First Party and become a local party based in North and South Chungcheong. Lee seems to aspire to become the second Kim Jong-pil, the leader of the Chungcheong area.
Even though he used to be the prime minister and a Supreme Court justice, Lee did not accept the results of the prosecutors’ investigation in the BBK case. Lee’s camp borrowed Kim Kyung-joon’s words and said the investigation was manipulated. Lee’s camp staged a street protest with the United New Democratic Party.
The reason Lee Hoi-chang ran for the presidency was that Lee Myung-bak might have been hurt by the BBK scandal. If Lee Hoi-chang accepted the results of the prosecutors’ investigation result, he would have no reason to run anymore. He went to the streets probably because he wants to complete the presidential race, after which he will create a new party, compete in the general election in April next year and remain a political player.
Lee Hoi-chang’s new political party will reveal deep-rooted problems, as his run for the presidency did. Who creates a political party, for what reasons and how? Lee Hoi-chang was a senior member of the Grand National Party and he was the party’s presidential candidate twice. But he betrayed his party. He is a senior leader of our country. But he did not abide by the principles which are crucial to our society.
He says the stance of Lee Myung-bak is suspicious. But Lee Myung-bak also makes it clear that North Korea must abandon its nuclear weapons and facilities before South Korea gives it aid, which is not different from the senior politician’s stance. Lee Hoi-chang says the Grand National candidate is corrupt. But Lee Hoi-chang himself is corrupt. He raised political funds in illegal ways, used the National Tax Service and was involved in receiving huge bribes. He was suspected to have found a way for his sons to avoid military service.
Lee Hoi-chang’s approval ratings are around the mid-10 percent range. His supporters are people who were disappointed by Lee Myung-bak or angry with Chung Dong-young. Their sentiments should be accepted as they are.
Lee Hoi-chang should not calculate that those sentiments will translate into votes for the next general election.